23 May 2025
We are delighted to share the outstanding achievements of Year 12 student Jack Pillay, who recently represented South Australia at the National Schools Debating Championships. This is Jack’s second consecutive year on the State Team – a remarkable accomplishment in itself.
The Championships saw teams from each state and territory debate seven times, with each round involving a new short-preparation topic. With just 60 minutes to prepare and no access to technology, students demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, teamwork, and composure under pressure. Topics ranged from economic and ethical issues to international education and sports, including:
- The use of buy-now, pay-later services such as Afterpay;
- Whether creators of biographical media about deceased celebrities should require consent from the family or estate;
- A talented young player choosing to join a mid-tier team over a top-tier team in a professional sports league;
- Whether developing countries should fund overseas university scholarships contingent on returning to work for their home government.
South Australia placed fifth overall – a commendable result in a highly competitive national field.
Following the tournament, Jack was one of nine students from across Australia selected for the Australian Debating Squad, alongside peers from Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Over the coming week, the squad will undertake online training ahead of a selection camp in Melbourne. From this group, five students will be chosen to form the national team that will represent Australia at the World Schools Debating Championships in Panama this July.
We congratulate Jack on this well-deserved recognition and wish him the very best as he vies for a place on the Australian team.
